Lizzo’s return to the music industry in 2025 has proven to be more complicated than she expected.
In a cover story with New York magazine, the singer opened up about navigating her career while facing multiple lawsuits alleging sexual harassment and bullying on her world tour.
Reflecting on her recent releases, Lizzo described the process as a sudden education in modern pop music.
“I put out those two singles, and it feels like I had a crash course in what putting music out as a pop artist in 2025 looks like, and it’s … interesting,” she said. She also noted that the music landscape changes rapidly, explaining, “The industry and the landscape change every year. What worked last year is not going to work this year.”
When she released her 2022 album Special, Lizzo was aware of the role that gatekeepers in radio, marketing, and media play in shaping an artist’s success. Three years later, with her mixtape My Face Hurts from Smiling, she admitted that plans she had carefully crafted fell apart.
“Which is crazy because I had three years to plan this s— out, and all of my plans kind of crumbled,” she said.
Lizzo emphasized that releasing the new songs allowed her to challenge expectations and invite listeners to see her in a new light.
“I think I needed to drop those songs so I could subvert that expectation of me. Because, in turn, it created this new discovery that I really wanted. I wanted people to rediscover who I am and fall in love with her all over again,” she said.
In addition to dealing with the changing music landscape, Lizzo faced personal struggles, including depression and the stress of ongoing legal matters.
Despite these obstacles, she is committed to reconnecting with fans and continuing to evolve as an artist, proving her resilience in the ever-changing pop music world.
